Glencairn Glass signs three year sponsorship deal with Bloody Scotland

Glencairn Crystal will continue its sponsorship of the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year. 

Glencairn Crystal had produced the trophy for the McIlvanney Prize winner for many years. In 2020, the company came on board with its Glencairn Glass as an official sponsor of both prizes. The new three-year deal will secure Glencairn Crystal’s sponsorship until the end of 2025.  

The McIlvanney Prize, in memory of novelist William McIlvanney, is Bloody Scotland’s annual prize awarded to the best Scottish crime book of the year. Last year, it received more than 80 entries and was won by Alan Parks with May God Forgive (Canongate). In 2019, Bloody Scotland also introduced a new prize to recognise new talent emerging within crime writing: the Bloody Scotland Scottish Crime Debut of the Year. In 2022, it was awarded to Tariq Ashkanani with Welcome to Cooper (Thomas & Mercer). 

Kirsty Nicholson, Glencairn’s design and marketing manager, said: “We are delighted to extend our sponsorship of such prestigious writing prizes. Like Scottish crime writing, the Glencairn Glass is a truly global phenomenon and we look forward to working with Bloody Scotland in celebrating great crime novels.”

Bob McDevitt, director of The Bloody Scotland International Crime Writing Festival, said: “We are so pleased that The Glencairn Glass has extended its sponsorship of our prizes, helping us to celebrate new and established voices in Scottish crime writing.” 

Both the McIlvanney Prize for the Scottish Crime Book of the Year and the Bloody Scotland Debut Crime Novel of the Year will be awarded on 15th September at the Bloody Scotland Festival. The McIlvanney Prize includes a £1,000 prize, a giant Glencairn Glass trophy and nationwide promotion in Waterstones. The Bloody Scotland Debut Prize winner will receive £500 and a Glencairn Star trophy.